Key Points
- NESN is bringing “The Varsity” to its two regional sports channels.
- The show is hosted by sports journalist John Ourand of Puck News.
- Shows will air Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. local time.
The New England Sports Network (NESN) is adding to its slate of original programming with a new agreement that will see it distribute a popular sports journalism podcast on its channel and streaming platform.
Later this month, a video version of Puck and Audacy’s “The Varsity” podcast will debut on NESN and its sister channel SportsNet Pittsburgh, the channels announced in a press release on Tuesday.
The Varsity is a co-production between NESN and Puck. The show is hosted by John Ourand, a well-sourced sports journalist who gained a reputation for breaking news during his time at the Sports Business Journal (SBJ). Ourand left the SBJ for Puck in late 2023.
“We launched ‘The Varsity’ podcast to allow our readers to hear directly from the larger-than-life figures shaping the sports industry, from the on-screen announcers and analysts to team owners to media executives,” Ourand said in a prepared statement. “Just one year later, we’re thrilled to be partnering with NESN to bring our podcast to television and streaming. With a wide audience of dedicated sports fans, NESN was the perfect partner to take ‘The Varsity’ to new platforms.”
“‘The Varsity’ is exactly the kind of smart, original programming we want to bring to NESN and SportsNet Pittsburgh viewers,” said David Wisnia, the President & CEO of NESN and SportsNet Pittsburgh. “‘The Varsity’s’ editorial voice and John Ourand’s reporting and commentary make this show essential for anyone interested in where sports and media are headed. We’re excited to partner with Puck to expand its reach and give our audiences a front-row seat to the biggest conversations in the industry.”
The Varsity will air on NESN and SportsNet Pittsburgh at 6 p.m. local time on Mondays and Wednesdays, starting November 12. Episodes will also be offered through the free streaming channel NESN Nation and posted to NESN’s YouTube channel; the network said it is working with others to bring the show to additional channels and platforms in the near future.
